Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
Lake Apopka wildlife drive is an unpaved one-way lime rock road that leads 11 miles around its northern shore.
The lake is the fourth largest in Florida with a surface area of 30,800 acres and depth of 15.4 ft (4.7 meters). It is fed by a natural spring as well as storm water run off and it flows north eventually reaching St Johns river (after running through a number of other lakes).
The drive gives visitors views of the marshes with an excellent chance to catch a glimpse of reptiles and boasts to probably attract the most diverse array of birds in the US.
The drive is free and open to the public from Friday through Sunday and on Federal holidays, sunrise to an hour before sunset. Allow a good hour or so to explore the 10-mph route and an audio tour is available through your cell phone (details are available on entry to the park).
After driving around 4 miles you will come across the historic pump house which was used to drain the north portion of the land so that the rich soil could be used for farming. The lake was once renown for bass fishing and 21 fish camps were established around the shoreline. Unfortunately, over time the lake became polluted and the fish population declined. Recent efforts to restore the area have been very successful and the wildlife to be seen is an indication of this😊
The drive begins at Lust Road and ends at Jones Avenue in Orange County, 20 miles north west of Orlando. The official address is 2850 Lust Road, Apopka 32703.
We really enjoy visiting this attraction – it is based from the design of Black Point Drive in Titusville and you could stand the chance of seeing more varied birdlife here.